Monday Okpebholo criticises Obaseki for denying three Edo judges swearing-in, calling it a disservice to justice and a slap on the judiciary.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has sharply criticised his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, describing his refusal to swear in three judges last year as a “slap on the judiciary” and a grave injustice to the state’s legal system.
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The governor made this statement on Thursday while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, and members of the Local Organising Committee for the upcoming NBA National Executive Committee meeting at the Government House, Benin City.
Okpebholo, who officially swore in the three previously sidelined judges — Ojo Osa, Okundamiya Jeff, and Edoghogho Eboigbe — in December 2024, said the action corrected a longstanding wrong by the former administration.
He stated that the refusal by Obaseki to swear in the judges despite clearance from the National Judicial Council (NJC) was an act that undermined judicial independence and public trust.
“The decision of the former administration to deny the three judges their rightful swearing-in, despite NJC clearance, was a great disservice to justice and a slap on the judiciary,” Okpebholo said.
The governor disclosed that he personally investigated the delay before assuming office and found no legitimate reason for the decision.
“I discovered that these judges excelled in their examinations and had no blemish whatsoever. Justice delayed is justice denied, and I could not allow such an injustice to persist,” he added.
Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to strengthening the rule of law, deepening judicial independence, and ensuring fairness in governance. He also pledged to support the NBA through the provision of operational vehicles to aid its statewide activities.
Chairman of the NBA Benin Branch, Barrister Idemudia Osifo, commended the governor for his swift and decisive reforms, particularly his action in swearing in the previously ignored judges and restoring the Customary Court of Appeal, which had been scrapped under the last administration.
“Your decision to swear in the three judges ignored by the former administration demonstrates courage and respect for the rule of law,” Osifo said.
He also announced that the NBA would host a Land Administration Seminar on November 5, 2025, to assess land governance under the Land Use Act and propose policy reforms.
Also read: Okpebholo Warns Land Grabbers, Vows to Demolish Structures
Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa and other senior government officials were also present at the meeting, which further underscored the administration’s renewed focus on transparency, accountability, and judicial integrity in Edo State.
